Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-24
A Tribute to the Late Governor Bodwen

Rev. G. R. Palmer taking for a text the
words, yet Speaketh," said, This scripture
was spoken of dead man. His voice is
silent in death" is common announcement
of mans exit from his mortal life, but the
bible sends back its response, ''Yet Speak
eth The Capitol is hushed in silence, yet
in the active days of legislative session it
never seemed so full of voices. The black
pilot cloth speaks of the sorrow of earth, the
white drapery of the purity of heaven On
this side is Webster, on the other is Morrill, /;
in this niche, soldier, in that a general !:
here are rifles, and there are flags, but as
night is the time for the sweet notes of the
nightingale, so the hush of sorrow furnishes
occasion for myriad voices to speak, and
portrait and statue, and tattered banner
bring the past into living present with in
expressible power.
There is special propriety in improving
the present event, not only because Of what
Gov. Bodwell was and what he achieved, but
as Chief of the State he belonged to us all,
and we suffer common loss and Join in
common sorrow. What volume of testi-
mony affirms that Joseph X. Bodwell was a
manly man, one who possessed large nature,
a breadth and richness of humanity and gen.
erous impulses. that made him quick to ap-
precate the brotherhood of man. so that rs-
ing to mingle with the opulent, he did not
forget the class from which he sprung, and
amid the business pressures of large pro-
prietor, he could still carry the world in his
sympathies. His aptitude for business was
obvious from the fact that he seized oppor-
tunities by the forelock and made them con-
tribute to his welfare. His capacity for bus
mess was evident in that he carried so i'm
mense loads upon his broad shoulders with a
sunny countenance.
There are some lessons to be learned.
By the path of honesty this man walked
from the humble cottage to the costly mansion,
from the gourd stick to the scepter of the
State. What an inspiration for youag
men is given by the humble beginnings
and successful career of such magnifi-
cent men as Joseph r. Bodwell, Henry
Wilson and Abraham Lincoln. Again, we
should take to heart as a practical lesson the
fact that while tinsel show is the first to push
to the front, plain goodness will win in the
race of life. 1t is sure to win the respect of
the good and will often conquer foes. Is it
not worthy of remark that in the sharp
competitions of life, while Mr.. Bodwell had
so remarkable success, that he did not be
come the object of the hatred of disappointed
pretentious manliness of the man, whose
position sought him, dsarmed jealousy,
shamed envy, and rebuked hatred
The sudden departure of such a
man should impress us anew with the fact
that we have no power over death.
"With equal pace impartial fate
Knocks at the palace and the cottage gate"
While we honor our late Magistrate we
should pay tribute to two great agencies by
which his career was made possible, namely,
Christian civilization and our Republican
institutions. Under feudal despots, under
the laws of entail relating to the descent of
property in the old world such career is ex-
cluded, and Gov. Bodwell was as certainly a
product of Christian civilization which makes
every man responsible for his great oppor-
tunities. So we at once pay our tribute to
our lamented Governor Joseph r. Bodwell,
and to the flag of our country, and the Cos
pei of Christ.